The National Testing Agency (NTA) has officially declared the results for the All India Sainik Schools Entrance Examination (AISSEE) 2026. This national-level entrance is the gateway for young aspirants to join 33 existing Sainik Schools and the new approved Sainik Schools under the Ministry of Defence. In 2026, the competition for Sainik School admission has reached an all-time high, with over $1.5$ lakh students appearing for Class $6$ and Class $9$ seats. The prestige of Sainik Schools lies in their rigorous training environment designed to groom students for entry into the National Defence Academy (NDA) and the Indian Naval Academy (INA).
Understanding the Sainik School Result 2026 is the first step toward a career as a commissioned officer in the Indian Armed Forces. This year, NTA has introduced a more transparent digital scorecard system, allowing parents to see subject-wise marks and the All India Rank (AIR). The significance of the 2026 result lies not just in qualifying marks, but in the AISSAC 2026 e-counselling process. Unlike previous years, admission is no longer just school-specific; students can now exercise multiple school choices through a centralized portal. This guide provides a detailed breakdown of the qualifying criteria, the medical examination stage, and the step-by-step process to download the AISSEE scorecard.
Exam 2026: Overview
| Authority | National Testing Agency (NTA) & Sainik Schools Society |
| Exam Name | All India Sainik Schools Entrance Examination (AISSEE) 2026 |
| Class Levels | Class 6 and Class 9 |
| Official Result Website | aissee.nta.nic.in |
| Counselling Portal | pesa.ncog.gov.in/aissac/ |
| Selection Mode | Written Exam -> e-Counselling -> Medical Exam -> Final Merit |
AISSEE 2026 Important Dates
Timing is critical for parents to ensure they don’t miss the counselling windows. The NTA operates on a strict schedule, and missing the e-counselling deadline means losing the seat.
| Event | Date (Tentative) |
| AISSEE 2026 Exam Date | January 2026 |
| Answer Key & OMR Release | February 2026 |
| Sainik School Result 2026 Declaration | March 2026 |
| Scorecard Download Window | March – April 2026 |
| AISSAC e-Counselling Registration | April 2026 |
| Medical Examination Dates | April – May 2026 |
| Final Merit List for Admission | June 2026 |
Vacancy 2026 – Class-wise Distribution
The vacancies for Sainik Schools are divided between the 33 Existing Schools and the New Approved Schools. Note that girls are now eligible for admission to Class $6$ in all schools.
| Category | Class 6 Seats (Approx) | Class 9 Seats (Approx) |
| Home State Candidates | 67\% of total | 67\% of total |
| Other State Candidates | 33\% of total | 33\% of total |
| Total Estimated Seats | 3500+ | 1200+ |
Vacancy for PwD Candidates
Note: Since Sainik Schools are dedicated to preparing students for the Armed Forces, there is no reservation for PwD (Persons with Disabilities) candidates due to the strict medical and physical fitness standards required for the NDA/Armed Forces career path.
2026 Selection Process
The selection for Sainik School Admission 2026 involves a multi-stage automated process:
| Stage | Process Description |
| Written Exam | Objective OMR-based test conducted by NTA. |
| Result & Scorecard | Marks declaration and AIR allotment. |
| e-Counselling | Centralized seat allotment (AISSAC) based on choice and rank. |
| Medical Exam | Physical fitness check at designated Military Hospitals. |
| Final Verification | Document check and fee payment at the allotted school. |
Recruitment 2026 Eligibility Criteria (Admission Focus)
Educational Qualification
- For Class 6: Student must be studying in or have completed Class $5$ from a recognized school.
- For Class 9: Student must be studying in or have completed Class $8$ from a recognized school. Admissions are open only to those who qualify the entrance merit.
Age Limit (As on March 31, 2026)
Table showing Age criteria for Sainik School Admission Class 6 vs Class 9
| Admission Class | Minimum Age | Maximum Age | Date of Birth Range |
| Class 6 | 10 Years | 12 Years | 01 April 2014 to 31 March 2016 |
| Class 9 | 13 Years | 15 Years | 01 April 2011 to 31 March 2013 |
2026 Exam Pattern & Qualifying Marks
The marking scheme is the key to understanding the Sainik School Cut Off 2026.
- Class 6: $125$ Questions | $300$ Marks (Maths: $3$ marks, Others: $2$ marks).
- Class 9: $150$ Questions | $400$ Marks (Maths: $4$ marks, Others: $2$ marks).
Analysis: Mathematics has the highest weightage ($150/300$ for Class $6$ and $200/400$ for Class $9$). To qualify, a student must secure at least $25\%$ in each subject and $40\%$ in aggregate. However, qualifying does not guarantee admission; seat allotment is purely based on relative merit in the e-counselling stage.
How to Check Sainik School Result 2026 (Step-by-Step)
- Visit Official Portal: Go to aissee.nta.nic.in.
- Locate Link: Click on “AISSEE 2026 Scorecard Download” on the candidate activity board.
- Enter Credentials: Type your Application Number and Date of Birth.
- Security Pin: Enter the captcha security pin displayed on the screen.
- Submit: Your result dashboard will appear showing AIR and marks.
- Download PDF: Save the scorecard for the AISSAC 2026 registration.
- Check Merit: Compare your AIR with previous years’ state-wise cut-offs to estimate seat chances.
Pro-Tip Box: Keep your admit card handy while checking the result. If you forget your application number, use the “Forgot Application No.” link on the login page to recover it via email/mobile.
Direct Links Section
- Check Result / Scorecard Sainik Schools Class 6th: Click Here
- Check Result / Scorecard Sainik Schools Class 9th: Click Here
- Official AISSAC Counselling Portal: pesa.ncog.gov.in/aissac/
- Sainik School Society Notification PDF: Download Here
- State-wise Merit List PDF: View Here
2026 Salary (Career & Scholarship Structure)
While students do not receive a “Salary,” qualifying for Sainik School is a gateway to an Officer-level career in the Indian Army, Navy, or Air Force.
- Career Scale: Upon entering NDA and getting commissioned, an officer starts at Level 10 (Pay Scale: ₹56,100 – ₹1,77,500) as per the 7th Pay Commission.
- Scholarships: Most Sainik School students are eligible for State Government scholarships ranging from ₹15,000 to ₹40,000 per year, based on parental income and category. This makes the elite education highly affordable for rural families.
Detailed Strategy & Expert Insights (e-Counselling Tips)
Clearing the exam is only half the battle. The AISSAC 2026 e-Counselling is where most parents make mistakes.
- The Choice Strategy: You can choose up to $10$ Sainik Schools (including New Sainik Schools). Always put the “Home State” school as Choice $1$ to benefit from the $67\%$ reservation.
- Medical Preparedness: Check your child for vision (Distance $6/6$), flat feet, and dental points before the official medical call.
- Helpful Insight: If your child is in the “Waiting List,” don’t panic. There are usually $3$ to $4$ rounds of e-counselling. Many seats open up in Round $2$ as candidates fail medicals or choose other schools like Rashtriya Military Schools (RMS).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. How to check Sainik School result 2026?
Visit aissee.nta.nic.in, enter your application number and DOB, and click on “Score Card”.
2. What is the qualifying marks for Sainik School 2026?
Minimum $25\%$ in each subject and $40\%$ aggregate in the entrance exam.
3. Is there negative marking in AISSEE 2026?
No, there is no negative marking for incorrect answers.
4. Can girls apply for Sainik School admission?
Yes, girls are eligible for admission to Class 6 in all Sainik Schools nationwide.
5. How is the merit list prepared?
Based on AIR, category (SC/ST/OBC/Def/Gen), and the school choices filled during e-counselling.
6. What are the documents required for counselling?
Scorecard, Admit Card, DOB Certificate, Domicile Certificate, and Category Certificate (if applicable).
7. When will AISSAC counselling 2026 start?
Usually within $15$ days of result declaration, tentatively in April 2026.
8. Is the medical exam mandatory?
Yes, final admission is strictly subject to the candidate being found medically fit by a Board of Service Medical Officers.
9. How many Sainik Schools are there in India?
Currently, there are $33$ existing Sainik Schools and over $40+$ newly approved schools under a different partnership model.
10. Can I reset my NTA login password?
Yes, use the “Forgot Password” link on the AISSEE portal to reset it via registered email.
HS Patel is a seasoned expert with over 8 years of experience in the field of e.g., Education & Career Counseling. With a deep understanding of industry trends and user needs, he is dedicated to providing accurate, reliable, and high-quality content. His mission is to simplify complex information and empower readers with the right knowledge to succeed.